11. Reconstruction of hand defects using free serratus anterior fascia flap

Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Nguyen Hong Ha, Pham Huu Lu

Main Article Content

Abstract

Serratus anterior fascia flap has many advantages in the single stage reconstruction of hand defects, especially defects in soft tissue with tendon injuries. We report the clinical outcomes in 5 patients who underwent reconstruction of the hand defects using the free serratus anterior fascia flap. The size of flap ranged from 10 x 6cm to 12 x10cm. In one patient, serratus fascia flap was accompanied by partial latissimus dorsi muscle. The outer surface of the flap was immediately covered by split-thickness skin grafts. No major postoperative complications such as flap loss, infection, dehiscence or hematoma were encountered in any patients. Three patients had complete flap survival, and two patients had marginal necrosis but secondary healing. All the patients showed durable and harmonious long-term flap coverage and good movement. In our study, the serratus anterior fascia flap were demonstrated to have stability, versatility and thinness, making it a good choice in the reconstruction complex soft tissue involving the hand.

Article Details

References

1. Parrett BM, Bou-Merhi JS, Buntic RF, et al. Refining outcomes in dorsal hand coverage: consideration of aesthetics and donor-site morbidity. Plast Recontr Surg. 2010; 126: 1630–1638.
2. Carty MJ, Taghinia A, Upton J. Fascial flap reconstruction of the hand: a single surgeon’s 30-year experience. Plast Recontr Surg. 2010, 125: 953–962.
3. Fassio E, Laulan J,Aboumoussa J, et al. Serratus anterior free fascial flap for dorsal hand coverage. Ann Plast Surg. 1999; 43: 77–82.
4. Schwabegger A, Hussl H, Rainer C, et al. Clinical experience and indications of the free serratus fascia flap: a report of 21 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg.1998; 102: 1939–1946.
5. Nguyễn Việt Tiến. Điều trị khuyết da có lộ gân vùng mu bàn tay bằng vạt cân thái dương nông. Tạp chí y học quân sự. 1997; 4: 44-46
6. Wintsch K, Helaly P. Free flap of gliding tissue. Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery. 1986; 2: 143-15.
7. Kitazawa T, Shiba M. Free serratus anterior fascial flap combined with vascularized scapular bone for reconstruction of dorsal hand and finger defects. Case reports in plastic surgery and hand surgery. 2018; 5(1), 1-8
8. Ulrich D, Fuchs P, Bozkurt A, et al. Free serratus anterior fascia flap for recon- struction of hand and finger defects. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2010;130: 217–222.
9. Fluegel A, Kehrer A, Heitmann C, Germann G, Sauerbier M. Coverage of soft-tissue defects of the hand with free fascial flaps. Microsurgery. 2005; 25:47–53.
10. Tuncer S., Sezgin B., Sencan A., Sari A. Free serratus fascia flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects involving the distal upper and lower extremity. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2020; 84(6): 672–678
11. Lee MG, Kim JS, Lee DC, et al. Fascial free flap for reconstruction of the dorsolateral hand and digits: the advantage of a thin contour. Arch Plast Surg. 2016; 43: 551–8.
12. Meland NB, Weimar R. Microsurgical reconstruction: experience with free fascia flaps. Ann Plast Surg. 1991; 27:1–8.